Changing the Way That I Pray

These last few months I have been challenged and am learning to change the way that I pray.  I am beginning to believe more and more that I have not fully understood what it means to really pray.  

You see, when a difficult situation has come, when the things of life seem too much to bear... I pray.  Believe me I pray.  But I have started to examine what I pray.

I pray for things to be resolved.  I pray for situations to change.  I pray for difficulties to be removed. 

When I look even deeper into the motives of my heart... I am really praying for comfort.  I am really praying for ease.  I am really praying for things that make it about me.

Recently my theology turned upside down as I began to consider that perhaps, those situations come into my life... because I prayed for them.

I pray to be more and more like Christ.  What if those situations are really allowed to enter my sphere, because something in them (or many things in them) are designed to make me more like Christ?  To learn to share with Him in His suffering.

It's almost as if I pray, "Lord, make me more like You."  And then the difficult situation comes that was intended to do that and I find myself praying, "Lord, take this situation away."

How silly of me.

I have been reading back through the book of Acts.  I am seeing more clearly than ever before how the believers of that day prayed.

Acts 4:29 (NLT) "And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word."

In the midst of threats, trials, difficulties and persecution... they didn't pray for those things to be removed.

Instead, they prayed for strength to endure.  They prayed for boldness to continue the very deeds that put them in those situations in the first place.  They prayed for each other.  They prayed for God's Kingdom work to continue to advance.  They rejoiced and counted it a privilege to be a part.  Yes, in all of these things... even unto death.

I am finding that my prayer life is evolving into something new.  Something different.

Not that I don't pray for God to work His will in each and every situation, especially the most difficult ones.  But what if those are His will for me... to help to make me more like Him?

So I find myself praying more and more instead for things such as strength, boldness, perseverance, discernment, love for God and others, a grateful heart, wisdom, and a willingness to learn what He has in mind for me in each situation.

And praying, "How can I become more like Christ in this?  What can I learn that teaches me more of His character, His very nature... Him?"

Have you considered recently how you pray?  

Lord, teach us to pray...

Gratitude of Grace

It all began when I read Ann's book "1000 Gifts."

I wasn't even looking for it, but not long after finishing that one, I stumbled upon "Choosing Gratitude" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

I read through it, deeply challenged.

"Do we only give glory to God for the part of our life that's going the way we want?  Or do we worship Him, trust Him, and give Him thanks, just because He is God- regardless of the dark, painful, incomprehensible places we encounter in our journey?... Regardless of how I may feel, anything that makes me need God is a blessing." -- Nancy Leigh DeMoss

 When I got to the end of the book and encountered the 30 days of gratitude devotionals in the back, I purposed to take the time to pour over each one.

I am convinced it is definitely a theme God is working to embed deep into the crevices of my heart.  Everywhere I look I am seeing it.

My son came home from their high school retreat sharing that this was a main theme of their time away.

We were led by the pastor a few weeks ago to spend an entire Sunday morning service, whoever wanted to, just publicly giving praise and being thankful for the things that God has done.

Noticing.

And even here in blogland one can't go far without sensing it's undercurrents.  Whether it's joining Ann for Multitude Monday, or Pam for Thursday Thanks Tank, or even Susanne with Friday's Favorite Five... I'm seeing it surround me.

I have purposely made it so that I am reminded throughout my day of this challenge to my own heart.  My computer screen saver simply says... Choose Gratitude.   

"I can whine
        -or-
I can worship!"
  --Nancy Leigh DeMoss

I am learning to speak a new language more intentionally.  I am learning to pen pages of thankfulness.  I am learning to look for glimpses of His gifts... of Him.  I am learning to treasure a new way of living.

Gratitude of Grace... His gifts of love and mercy poured out throughout my day.

Just waiting for me to stop.

Notice.

Embrace.

Treasure.

And as I do... I am blessed, encouraged, and ever Grateful!
 

Sheltered Under God's Promises {Giveaway}

As I have recently shared snippets of the personal difficulties of my own days, many of you have contacted me sharing your own stories.  The fact that many of us have been experiencing hard things has been confirmed.

Reading the following book came at what seemed to be the "perfect time".  In fact, here is what the back cover says about this book:

"You know God's promises, but are they for you, are they for now, are they for this? If you look to your circumstances alone, it may seem that God has forgotten you. But He hasn't. He can't. And He wouldn't even if He could. God is the only promise maker who is always a promise keeper. And God's promises will never fail you!"

I appreciated how Sheila used the stories of Bible characters to demonstrate the truth she was addressing.  I also enjoyed the Bible study included in the book.  Although I did not go through this in a group setting, I still referred to and used those questions to deepen the questioning and pondering of my own heart.

The chapters focus on ten foundational promises of God that secure our lives during even the most difficult times.  Things such as God's peace (ch. 3), grace (ch. 6), hope (ch.7), and much more.  And the way Sheila ended it... oh my.

I did not find it to finish with a sense of "happily ever after" sentiment leaving me wondering how I can apply that to the true "nitty gritty" of the mess I sometimes seem to find myself in. 

Instead, she ended it with examining a question that has left my own heart challenged and encouraged even since the covers of this book have been closed.

She takes us to John the Baptist and explores this soul searching question with him... "Will you love and serve a God you do not always understand?" 

As you pick up this book, I would encourage you to grab a highlighter and pen or pencil.  I needed mine all through it!


What to Win:
Five randomly selected winners will each win ONE copy of "The Shelter of God's Promise" by Sheila Walsh.
 
How to Win:
Comment.  Yep.  Simple as that.
(Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you should you be selected as a winner.)

Extra Opportunities to Win:
Become a subscriber and/or follow on Facebook. (see right hand sidebar for options ).  Be sure to come back and leave a separate comment for each (or let me know that you already do).

Giveaway Ends:
This giveaway will end on Friday, Sept. 16.  The winners will be randomly selected and notified .  (You must be willing to let me provide the publisher with your address as they will be sending out the book to the winners.)

Unfortunately, this giveaway is U.S. and Canada eligible only.